Your World Today

The 136th Graduation of the Salem R-80 High School will be held this evening at 7:00 at the Salem High School Football Field. After the procession of 132 graduating students, the National Anthem will be performed by Jake Casper, Audrey Crocker, Tristan James, Ashton Monk, McKenzie Norfolk, and Annabelle Pryor. Assistant Principal Conrad Prugh will then present the Senior Class Citizenship Award as well as the Best All-Around Boy and Girl Award. Principal Marty Anderson will introduce two Salutatorians, Amy Chen and Tyler Seabaugh, as well as the five Valedictorians that include Ryon Coursen, Brecklyn Holtz, Monica Jessen, Martin Jones and Isabella Knaack. Anderson will also recognize the A Plus students, students who are entering the military, as well as those entering the work force and going to college. Diplomas will then be awarded to the Class of 2021 students followed by the recessional. The graduation exercises will be streamed live on www.ksmoradio.com on Twitch, on Facebook at “KSMO Stream” and the stream is also available on the Salem R-80 web site at www.salemr80.org and that will be on YouTube. There is no charge to stream the services. Graduation DVD’S will be available to order from KSMO. To purchase a DVD please call 729-6117.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital regular board meeting was held Tuesday at noon in the Hospital Library. In the summary of operations for the month of April, the hospital had 99 inpatient admissions with 248 inpatient census days. The average amount of patients per day in Acute Care was 8.3. The hospital showed a loss from operations of $440,841 and expenses over revenues after taxes of $428,788. During the month, there were 587 emergency room visits to go with 179 ambulance runs where 126 patients were transported, 109 medical/surgical cases, 1,745 outpatient registrations, 6,343 lab tests, 1,264 radiological procedures, 184 Home Health visits and 716 rehab treatments. The cash flow statement showed the hospital had a cash decrease for the month of $522,916 and the days in accounts receivable was at 88, a decrease of 4 days from March. The Acute Care Staffing by Patient Acuity report showed the average acuity at 18 per day with 8 average patients per day. During the Covid update it was reported that May 7th was the last Covid vaccine clinic, and 89 doses of Pfizer vaccine were administered. Lucas was asked what people are to do that want the Covid vaccine and he said that they would need to contact the Dent County Health Center. Lucas noted that the door screeners have been removed and those individuals were transitioned to part-time positions. He noted that the Hospital will continue to monitor positivity rates and active cases in Dent County for changes that need be made in the visitor policy. Lucas reported that the next meeting of the Hospital Auxiliary is scheduled for September 7th. Chief Operating Officer Jason Edwards said the Golf Tournament is scheduled for June 4th and the hospital has received 16 sponsorships so far and 18 teams have signed up. Edwards said the TytoCare Program was ran through with a rural school and was completed May 4th. SMDH is reviewing the telemedicine consent form for approval. Edwards noted that the next steps are to approve consent forms and attain Tytocare kits for surrounding rural schools. He said the goal is for the SMDH Rural School Telemedicine Program to begin with the 2021-2022 school year. Lucas gave the Chief of Staff Report and said that a Med-Staff meeting was held May 17th with Summary of Operations, Chief Nursing Report, and Pharmacy and Therapeutics being discussed. He said Courtesy Staff privileges for Saman Ibrahim, M.D. and Monica Drylewicz, M.D., both Teleradiologists, were approved and recommended for Board approval. The recommendation was approved by the Board. In old business Lucas reported on the hospital expansion and said the new water heater and water softener has been installed which finishes the expansion project. He said a final walk through with the architect was done and a “punch list” of things to be done was created. Lucas said the Cerner Conversion for payroll continues and the first payroll using Cerner will be dated July 2nd. He also said the departments are all working on creating workbooks for the conversion to be done in early fall with Microsoft Dynamics 365. Lucas said the finance committee met May 14th and approved the proposed budget for review and Board approval. Finance Committee Chair Mike Swyers reviewed the proposed budget with the Board and it was approved. There were no purchases for the month to discuss. Board Chair Judy Thompson read a thank you card from Karen Brown, who was attending her last SMDH Board meeting. Brown will be retiring in June after 20 of service to the Hospital. The Board voted to adjourn and then went into closed session.

Make plans to attend the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce Chamber Expo. It will be held this Saturday from 10:00 in the morning until 1:00 that afternoon at the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center parking lot at the Crossroads shopping center. The Business Expo is a great opportunity for area businesses to introduce themselves to potential customers and showcase their products and services. One table will be provided for each chamber member who reserves a booth and tents are also welcome. A business who is not a chamber member may participate but will have to purchase their booth space or inquire about becoming a chamber member. Giveaways, drawings, and samples are encouraged for participants, but exhibitors are NOT eligible for prizes. For more information or to get an entry form, call Tabitha today at the Salem Area of Commerce office at 729-6900 or e-mail her at chamber@salemmo.com.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education will be meeting this evening at 6:00 in the High School Library for their regular meeting. After the consent agenda the Board will hear communications. Superintendent Dr. Lynne Reed will report on a variety of issues, followed by Administration Reports. In new business the board will approve meal prices for 2021-2022, consider bus purchases, consider fall and spring softball schedule for 2021-2022, consider bids for a storage building, and set the June meeting date if different from June 17th. The Board will then hear resignations before adjourning and moving into Executive Session for the discussion of personnel. The regular Board meeting in the High School Library is open to the public.

The Alice Lou Craig Municipal Swimming Pool will be opening this weekend and Family Pool Passes are still available for $160 which is good for four people. Any additional family members can be added for $45 per person. Private Pool Parties can also be booked starting at $150 for an hour. For a pool party during regular hours, the cost is $75 which includes thew use of the pavilion and 10 guests. Aerobics and swim lessons will again be offered this year. The pool will be open Monday through Saturday from noon until 6:00 PM and Sunday afternoon from 1:00 until 6:00. The daily cost is $4.00 for children, $5.00 for adults and seniors 62 and older can get in for $4.00. For more information, call 729-6290 of 573-247-6031.

An accident occurred in Dent County Tuesday afternoon at 5:16 on Route 68 about 2 miles north of Salem. According to the highway patrol report a northbound 1995 GMC Pickup, driven by 24-year-old Zhackiary Heuser of Cook Station, struck a northbound 2000 Ford F150, driven by 64-year-old Jerry Norris, of Salem, in the rear as the Ford was making a right turn. Norris and an 8-year-old Juvenile passenger in the Ford both suffered minor injuries and were transported by EMS to Salem Memorial District Hospital for treatment of their injuries. The report went on to state that all occupants of the two vehicles were wearing safety restraints at the time of the accident. Both vehicles sustained moderate damage. The GMC was removed by the owner, while the Ford was able to be driven from the scene. The Highway Patrol was assisted by the Dent County at the scene by the Sheriff’s Office.

The Missouri Department of Conservation is set to launch a new canine unit through its Protection Branch this summer. The new unit, consisting of five dogs and their conservation agent-handlers, will be stationed around the state and used as necessary to work throughout Missouri. According to MDC, the capabilities of canines are extensive in conservation related
work, but common uses include tracking, evidence recovery, search and rescue, wildlife detection, and public outreach programs. Another rapidly growing use of canines is in the field of endangered and invasive species. There are currently 36 other states using dogs in their conservation efforts. Retriever-style dog breeds were specifically purchased for the MDC program, which consists of three Labrador Retrievers and two German Shorthaired Pointers. The dogs will be used for a variety of enforcement investigations, such as evidence recovery and wildlife trafficking. They will also be used in public outreach programs at fairs and schools. MDC has partnered with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, which has its own canine training program, to provide certified canine training services. The canine handlers and their partners initiated a rigorous nine-week training program with Indiana DNR in February and graduated from the program May 14th. The launch of the MDC canine unit is supported through a partnership with both Diamond Pet Foods and Purina, which sponsored the canine team and is providing dog food.

A carnival with proceeds to benefit Grace Harbor Homeless Shelter will be held this Saturday afternoon May 22nd from 2:00 until 5:00 at the Salem United Methodist Church. Tickets may be purchased in advance by contacting Kathy Bryant at 739-9163 or Jenny Summers at 247-7062. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. You are invited to bring your lawn chair, blanket, and your family and friends. Please keep in mind that smoking, vaping, and drugs and alcohol are not allowed on the grounds of the church.

A summer “kick off” will take place at Akers for the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. The free event features an open-air celebration of the
Akers community beginning at 9:00 this Saturday. The lawn around the Akers Visitor Center will host information booths and exhibits about historic communities on the banks of the Current River. Participants will be able to take part in activities including a paddle from Welch to Akers, a self-guided hike to Welch Spring and cave, a tour of Mt. Zion Church, and a tour of Akers Cemetery with a civil war “ghost”. Ozark National Scenic Riverways preserves the free-flowing Current and Jacks Fork Rivers, the surrounding natural resources, and the unique cultural heritage of the Ozark people. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/ozar or call (573) 323-4236.